Prospects acquired in Astros’ trades provide depth

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The Astros did not receive any team’s consensus top prospect among the 11 named players they have acquired in this month’s four trades.

They’re loading up on prospects with good chances to make the majors and contribute, but not considered elite.

“We shot high every discussion, and most teams were resistant to give up their top prospects,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “You can either walk away at that point or you can work on another solution.

“Because we have a lack of depth in our system and because you really never know the difference between a No. 2 prospect, a No. 6 prospect and a No. 12 prospect, if we can get three No. 12 prospects instead of one No. 3 prospect we might be better off. And we might see (the rankings) differently than others.”

Including the two players to be named, the Astros acquired 13 prospects. Matt Dominguez was the lone prospect in his organization’s top five, ranking fourth in the Marlins system preseason. Other top-10 acquisitions were Rob Rasmussen (Marlins No. 7), Robbie Grossman (Pirates No. 8) and Asher Wojciechowski (Blue Jays No. 10).

Cedeno gets call to replace Wandy

Lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno was called up from Class AAA Oklahoma City to take the roster spot of Wandy Rodriguez a day after Rodriguez was traded.

This gives the Astros an eight-man bullpen with no sacrifice of a hitter. There are currently only four starters, but the Astros will make a difficult decision in order to call up a starter for Rodriguez’s spot on Saturday.

Typically this season, keeping the extra reliever has won out, and that was before dealing the only two veterans in Brett Myers and Brandon Lyon.

Cosart moves up to Class AAA

The reverberations of the trades are being felt through some significant roster shuffling in the minor leagues.

With the plurality of the players acquired this July going to Class AA Corpus Christi and three of those being pitchers, top pitching prospect Jarred Cosart was promoted to Class AAA Oklahoma City along with Jose Cisnero and Jake Buchanan.